Iraq is marking on Friday the 91st anniversary of kits armed forces with a huge parade. The occasion this year comes after the US occupation troops has withdrawn from the country.
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| tanks shown off during the army day parade |
Iraq is marking on Friday the 91st anniversary of kits armed forces with a huge parade. The occasion this year comes after the US occupation troops has withdrawn from the country.
Heavy security measures were put in place for the parade, which began at 11:00 am (0800 GMT) and was to be held entirely in Baghdad's tightly-secured Green Zone, with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on the viewing stand.
Media covering the event had to pass through five checkpoints after gaining access to the Green Zone, home to parliament and the sprawling US embassy, with several roads leading to the area shut off entirely and authorities not even officially confirming until Thursday that the parade would take place.
Inside, Iraqi flags of all sizes were on display throughout, as well as a large banner that read, "Side-by-side, to build and save Iraq".
Several M1A1 Abrams tanks purchased from the United States were also shown off, as well as helicopters and other aircraft.
The celebration on Friday comes a day after up to 70 people were martyred in several blasts that targeted visitors across the country.
On Friday morning two people were killed when two bombs were exploded on separate bridges in the Dura neighborhood of south Baghdad.
